Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum facts for kids
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The Coliseum
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| Location | Evansville, Indiana |
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| Public transit |  METS |
| Owner | Vanderburgh County |
| Operator | Vanderburgh County Veterans Council |
| Capacity | 2,400 (seated) 4,055 (with standing room) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1916 |
| Construction cost | $180,000 (1916) |
| Tenants | |
| Dynamite Dolls (WFTDA) (2007- Present), Destruction Dames (WFTDA) (2008- Present) |
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Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
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1918 photo of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
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| Location | 350 Court St., Evansville, Indiana |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Shopbell, Clifford & Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000052 |
| Added to NRHP | May 10, 1979 |
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum is a cool old building in downtown Evansville, Indiana. People also call it The Coliseum. It's a big hall and meeting place that has been around for a long time!
Contents
A Look Back: The Coliseum's Story
Built to Remember Heroes
The Coliseum was built to honor brave men from Vanderburgh County. These men fought in the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War. The first stone was laid on May 9, 1916. The building was finished in March 1917. It was officially opened on April 18, 1917. This was right when the United States was joining World War I. The building cost $180,000 to construct.
Design and Art
The Coliseum has a special design called neoclassical architecture. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It was designed by a company called Shopbell & Company. The building gave Evansville its first modern place for big meetings and events.
Two amazing statues stand next to the entrance. They were created by George H. Honig. The statue on the left is called The Spirit of 1865. It shows victory for the Union side in the Civil War. The statue on the right is The Spirit of 1916. It shows older Civil War veterans thinking about their past.
Saving the Coliseum
For many years, the Coliseum was the best place for events in Evansville. But in the 1950s, a new, bigger stadium was built. People started to think the Coliseum was old-fashioned. There was even a plan to tear it down!
Luckily, a group of people started a "Save the Coliseum" campaign. They worked hard to protect it. This group also helped save the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse. Thanks to them, the Coliseum was saved from being demolished.
The Giant Organ
In 1919, a huge pipe organ was put into the Coliseum. It had 4,000 pipes! It was a memorial to a music teacher named Prof. Milton Z. Tinker. At that time, it was one of the biggest organs in the world. In 2013, the University of Evansville bought the organ. They took it apart and stored it. The university hopes to fix it and make it play again someday.
The Coliseum Today
A Place for Everyone
Over time, newer places like the Old National Events Plaza were built. This meant the Coliseum was used less for big conventions. In 1971, Vanderburgh County leased the building. They gave it to the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council for 99 years. The rent is only $1 a year!
The Coliseum's main hall can still seat 2,400 people. It can hold up to 4,055 people if some are standing. The Veterans Council now rents out the space for many different events. You can find sporting events, shows, plays, and even wedding parties there. They also host musical performances, bingo games, and concerts. Many groups that help others also use the space.
Home to Fun Events
The Coliseum is home to the Demolition City Roller Derby teams. These are the Dynamite Dolls and the Destruction Dames. It also hosts professional wrestling events. Groups like the Continental Wrestling Association have held matches there.
In July 2022, it was announced that the Evansville Civic Theater would move to the Coliseum. This will happen after some planned renovations are finished.
